Romance in Retro-spect: Squeeze Your Own Bundle

I saw this on Blossom Heart Quilts and couldn't wait to get started.  I love putting fabrics together but will admit that I often cheat and buy all of my fabrics for a project from the same line to make sure that they will go well together.  This was a bit of a challenge - - in more ways than one. 

 

I have never used any photo imaging software (unless you count instagram)...this should be no surprise to those of you who have seen my photos on my blog or Etsy.  I used the Picasa 3 as recommended by Alyce and it was pretty simple even for someone like me :).  I did have trouble saving the Fresh Squeezed Fabrics logo box though so sadly my collage is without it.  I am also amazingly UNcreative when it comes to naming things...again no shock there.

In the end I came up with this:

Romance in Retro-spect

 I am really loving the fabrics and the way the work together.  My focus fabric and the fabric that I started with and decided to build around is the large, bold floral on the top, left.  Not my usual fabric, as I typically go for bright, fun, explosive colors.  Maybe that's why I like it so much...

 

The name of the bundle stemmed (I promise I wasn't intending on making a pun, but if it fits...) from the beautiful floral prints and somewhat muted, yet still vibrant due to that pop of red, colors that remind me of old time romance and since part of the competition is the name I wanted to do some kind of catchy twist.

Hopefully everyone else will love it as much as I do.  A big thanks to Fresh Squeezed Fabrics for sponsoring this contest/giveaway! 

Ear Gear-Fleece Ear Warmers

I finished up my first batch of Fleece Ear Warmers just in time to send them to Crafted with the rest of this months inventory.  I wanted to try a variety of different things.  This is what I came up with:



 

I used a little bit of everything...studs, crocheted flowers, ribbon, fabric, buttons, embroidery thread, brooches.  One of the best things about making these was that I got to use up some of the items I have been hoarding for quite a while (I'm one of those people that finds a good deal on something and buys it so that I will have it on hand IN CASE I ever need it).  These were really simple to make.  I simply cut the desired shape from the fleece and added the embellishements and buttons and cut a slit for the buttonhole.  No seams necessary.

Glutton for Punishment: The Long Weekender

I know my previous post was all about how over extended I am so I must be a glutton for punishment since I'm going to join in The Long Weekender Blog Hop.  I'm planning on using my Super Penguin Popsicle Blocks that I previously made as the pocket on the front and patch working the rest!  It will give me a really fun, unique look to my bag and give me an excuse to redo the first set of blocks for my Super Penguin Quilt.  Can't wait to get started.  I've had the pattern cut, ready and waiting for inspiration for months now.

Small & Simple v. Long & Lengthy

My favorite thing to make is handbags.  All different kinds.  I love trying new patterns and watching the bag come together.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to focus on bags lately.  I have over extended myself a bit.  Between working full time, being the mother of a very active, and now mobile, 7 month old, my Etsy shop, all of the "A-Longs" that I've signed up for, trying to stock the shop in Claremore, and housework (which along with my poor husband is being badly neglected) I simply do not have time-or energy-for new, just for fun projects.

 

Crafted has put out a call for Christmas inventory.  They are trying to get their shop stocked up for Christmas and have asked for all vendors to up the number of items that are being sent to them.  Therefore, this post is about quantity over .... I don't want to say quality because the items will be made with the usual love and care, but they are not my favorite thing to make-more of a necessary evil :). 

 

I am introducing quite a few new items in an attempt to make small, quick projects to send their way.

 

Hopefully these little (unfinished) candy cane mice will be a hit.  I have several more cut in other colors but I haven't been able to find candy canes anywhere yet but hopefully soon!

 

 

 

 

I saw this adorable flannel on another blog and while at JoAnn's I had to pick some up.  I'm thinking I deserve some new pajama pants :)

 

 

This was another little splurge.  Anyone that knows me can tell you how much I love owls so when I saw this I had to have it.  I'm thinking of making it into a little sewing tin to stick in my purse.

 

 

Business Card Holders seem to be the most popular item at that I have in stock at Crafted so I'm sending more of those their way.

 

 

I'm also trying my hand at Fleece Ear Warmers.  Very simple to do since they're fleece and do not require any seams or stitching around the edges.  Without some sort of embellishment I thought they looked to plain to I'm trying out different things:  flowers, bows, appliques, blanket stitches, buttons, studs, etc.

 

 

More Ear Warmers waiting for inspiration.

 

 

And introducing Coffee Sleeves.  These are fun little things to make-unless your not paying attention and cut all of your one directional (is that the proper term?) fabrics upside down and have to start all over (sigh).  I think my favorite one is the bottom left with the fun, antiquey looking button.

 

 

I also made a bunch of Bottlecap Magnets using OKC Thunder, OSU, Dr. Suess and Little Monster images.  Forgot to get a picture, oops!

 

I have fallen slightly behind on the Super Penguin QAL and after looking at my first blocks I'm thinking I would like to redo them to make a more cohesive quilt in the end but am not sure I could handle that right now.  The Cathedral Window QAL has been entirely neglected but I haven't given up on the hope that I can join in.  The Stash QAL is another one that I haven't even started on yet.  I am happy to report that the How Far Will You Go Quilt is up to date (YAY!) and the Pervalong Quilt-which finally got started last week- will be where it should be by the end of the week.  This is where it is at the moment.

 

Falling Behind

Thanks to a nasty case of the flu (for me & my husband) and a very needy (but adorable) little boy I have fallen way behind.  Things I still haven't finished:

Super Penguin QAL Block 3

How Far Will You Go QAL Blocks 10 & 11

Pervalong Blocks A & B

Cathedral Window QAL Blocks 1 & 2

Items to go to Crafted

Crocheted fedoras

And sooo many more!

The one thing that I did manage to get done this week was a trip to JoAnn's for supplies

I picked up most of the fabrics for the Pervalong-I'm a little confused by the amounts they said to get so I only got the 1/4 yard cuts for now and will go back for the yardage later when I figure out where I'm using it and what color it should be.  I also picked up some beautiful autumn fabrics for the embroidered turkey pillow I want to put together.  I finished up the turkey last night and hope to get started on it next.  The three fabrics on the right are for a heavy duty car seat canopy for Squeak.  It was a chilly 47 degrees when we left for work this morning and it will only get worse.  Now that I have the yarn for the fedoras I hope to get those crocheted this weekend as well.  I keep seeing everyone using washi tape so I finally broke down and bought some (it has birds on it, how could I refuse!) and at the checkout I broke down and picked up the new copy of Sew News-I'm dying to make the clutch on the cover and I have the perfect fabric in mind, and last but not least, three spools of thread on basic colors just to have handy.  I also bought an amazing gray semi solid and some cream for embroidery but they didn't make it into the picture. 

 

After seeing some amazing mug rugs that are being made at Saltwater Quilts I had to give them a try.  The binding was my downfall on these.  I got progressively better as I went.

 

 

This was my latest attempt and while not perfect I'm definitely making progress.  They will all be finding new homes with family and friends soon :)

A Couple of Finishes and a LOT of WIPs

This week has flown by and I have barely set foot in my sewing room and this weekend doesn't look much better.  We have an out of town wedding to go to that will cut into my already very limited time.  Squeak has not been able to sit still since he learned to crawl so keeping him contained is nearly impossible plus at his 6 month check up a couple of days ago his doctor (who we love!) said it's time to move him from the playpen in our bedroom to the crib in the nursery...it could take up to five nights for him to adjust (5 VERY LONG NIGHTS).

A few things that I DID finish:

 

This fabric was some of the first that I bought when I started sewing.  I used a little bit on a FoldOver Bag that is listed in my Etsy shop and had been saving the rest while waiting for inspiration to strike.  Since I have told myself that I will not buy anymore fabric unless it is for a custom order item I have been trying to use up some of my stash.  I am still trying to build up my inventory for the show in November and send items to Crafted so I figured small items are probably best right now.  Speaking of stash...I have decided to destash and will have a couple of listings up in my shop later this week.

 

I made these with the intention of using them for a dress a friend had requested for her little girl but decided to go a different route.  Any ideas what I should use them for?  A pillow?

 

 

Some more fabric that I've been hanging onto for quite awhile.  I modified Amy Butler's Everything Wristlet to better meet my needs and came out with the perfect diaper clutch.  I think this one will be going to crafted. 

 

This is the first 20" block of the How Far Will You Go QAL and I love it!

 

These are the first of the 5" blocks.  I finally got caught up just in time for the newest block to be released :).  And in the background you can see one of my WIPs.  It is the Riley Blake Halloween Quilt that I've been working on.  It is almost ready to put together.  And I cannot wait to see how it turns out!

 

More WIPS:

 

Super Penguin QAL-the third set of block patterns is printed and ready

Embroidery Projects-I've drawn up several cute designs and just need to get them onto the fabric and get started

Mug Rugs-I must make some of these for the show and stores

Earbud Pouches-lots are cut, just waiting on zippers

Nursing Covers-washed and ready to be put together

Crochet Fedora Baby Hats-pattern bought and printed, need to purchase yarn

Baby Huggs Boots-need to pick out prints and enlarge pattern

And sooooo many more!

 

On another note, after reading this blog post http://www.bijoulovelydesigns.com/2012/09/10-tips-for-better-blog-photos.html?showComment=1348548323044 I will be taking new photographs of all of my ready to ship items to use in my Etsy shop and hopefully increase my sales.  I've known all along that my photos were sub par but wasn't sure how to fix them now I have tons of ideas!

 

Here's hoping for a productive weekend!

First Feature!

I just found out that I was featured in a blog post back in April.  A huge thanks to Lovely And Local.  You can read the whole post here

http://lovelyandlocal.wordpress.com/2012/04/24/shut-the-clutch-up/

Amazing what you find when you google your shop name :)